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Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

20th anniversary celebrations of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club
Pictured at a dinner in Magheragall Parish Church Hall last Wednesday afternoon (31st January) to mark the 20th anniversary of the Senior Citizens' Club are: (seated) Elizabeth Hill, Maureen Cheevers, Kitty McCluskey and Annie Maginnis.  (back row) Bobby Cunningham, Rev Raymond McKnight, Rev Nicholas Dark, Rt Rev Alan Harper - Bishop of Connor, Rev Canon Alec Cheevers and Sharon Cunningham. Rector's wives, Maureen Cheevers and Bronwen Dark cut a cake to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club last Wednesday afternoon (31st January).

Pictured at a dinner in Magheragall Parish Church Hall last Wednesday afternoon (31st January) to mark the 20th anniversary of the Senior Citizens' Club are: (seated) Elizabeth Hill, Maureen Cheevers, Kitty McCluskey and Annie Maginnis.  (back row) Bobby Cunningham, Rev Raymond McKnight, Rev Nicholas Dark, Rt Rev Alan Harper - Bishop of Connor, Rev Canon Alec Cheevers and Sharon Cunningham.

Rector's wives, Maureen Cheevers and Bronwen Dark cut a cake to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club last Wednesday afternoon (31st January).

A week of celebrations was held at Magheragall Parish Church last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the Senior Citizens' Club.  The celebrations began last Wednesday afternoon (31st January) when a delightful four-course dinner, prepared by a catering team from Atlas (Adult Training Learning and Support - Sloan Street, Lisburn), by Atlas Catering, was served in the Church Hall.  Organised by club leaders, Bobby and Sharon Cunningham, the guests at the dinner were founder members Elizabeth Hill and Annie Maginnis; former Rectors Rev Raymond McKnight and the Rev Canon Alec Cheevers and his wife Maureen.  The special guest was the Rt Rev Alan Harper, Bishop of Connor in this his last parish visit before commencing his duties as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland last Friday (2nd February).  Led by club leader, Bobby Cunningham, all present joined in singing Happy Birthday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club and also to celebrate the 85th birthday of club member Kitty McCluskey.

The Rector, the Rev Nicholas Dark, presents a gift to Bobby and Sharon Cunningham in recognition of their exemplary leadership of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a dinner last Wednesday afternoon (31st January). The catering team from Atlas (Adult Training Learning and Support - Sloan Street, Lisburn) who provided a delightful four-course dinner to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club last Wednesday afternoon (31st January). L to R: Bobby Cunningham, Sharon Cunningham, Alison Walker, Helen Watson, Gay Sherry, Dorothy Sherry and Stephen Reid.

The Rector, the Rev Nicholas Dark, presents a gift to Bobby and Sharon Cunningham in recognition of their exemplary leadership of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a dinner last Wednesday afternoon (31st January).

The catering team from Atlas (Adult Training Learning and Support - Sloan Street, Lisburn) who provided a delightful four-course dinner to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Magheragall Parish Senior Citizens' Club last Wednesday afternoon (31st January).  L to R:  Bobby Cunningham, Sharon Cunningham, Alison Walker, Helen Watson, Gay Sherry, Dorothy Sherry and Stephen Reid. 

Following the dinner the Rev Raymond McKnight (Rector of Magheragall 1986-1991) recalled that it was 16 years and 5 days since he had been in Magheragall church hall.  He said that while there had been many changes in the buildings during the years, the Senior Citizens' had not changed a bit.  He recalled how the club was formed on 4th February 1987, born out of a Parish Focus Day at Glenada House, Newcastle in October 1986, the five founder members were Elizabeth Hill, Annie Maginnis (who were present at the dinner) and the late Violet Fletcher, Jeannie Ruddy and Sally Forsythe.  Canon Alec Cheevers (Rector of Magheragall 1991-2004) thanked Mr McKnight for starting the club.  Speaking of its gift to the ministry, he recalled many happy Wednesday afternoons spent with the senior citizens and concluded by wishing them health and happiness to enjoy the fellowship of the club.

The present Rector, the Rev Nicholas Dark thanked his guests for spending the special day with them and presented Bobby and Sharon Cunningham with a gift in appreciation of their exemplary leadership of the Senior Citizens' Club.  Sharon Cunningham spoke of how she and her husband Bobby became leaders of the club in April 2004 as he wanted to do something within the parish.  She spoke of the great satisfaction they get from this leadership role and how they go home refreshed after each club meeting.  Sharon concluded by thanking the club members for their support.

The Senior Citizens' Club celebrations continued last Sunday morning (4th February) with a special service in the Church conducted by the Rev Nicholas Dark.  The week of celebrations concluded on Wednesday afternoon (7th February) when they were guests of The Right Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Trevor Lunn at the Mayor's Parlour at Lisburn City Council, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn.

01/02/2007